Jane Edwards, Brendan Fallon, and Rose Manzella
When the long discussed expansion of the Buffalo, New York, club became a reality this year it added 60% more space for Tai Chi. Plans for creating a defined break area, tiny kitchen, cork floor, improved aesthetics, storage and seating quickly followed. With a dual purpose in mind, members planned a banquet for December 15 to celebrate this progress and strengthen the bonds of friendship and community that were growing with each step.
A small army of volunteers accomplished this first ever in-house banquet. Jane Edwards, USA President, was an honored guest along with more than 100 members from the Buffalo, Amherst, Benwood, and West Seneca locations. Folks from Ontario and Ithaca joined the celebration that featured the raffle of a “Tree of Life” afghan hand-made by Rose Manzella. The raffle raised $750 for planned renovations.
The club, thoroughly decorated, looked spectacular. After introductions and a brief lesson in banquet etiquette, the 9 course dinner enjoyed along with dance and instrumental performances by high school students from Mainland China, a viewing of Bill Jungel’s TTC video, toasts and testimonials.
The evening was a very special time to enjoy each other’s company and to pause and take pride in our accomplishments before moving on to the next project.
Our dinner was a huge success!! It was fun and exciting, particularly as there was a huge representation from our health recovery class!!! We had a full table of health recovery people!!! Although all tai chi is health recovery, this class is conducted using a seated set for those who need it, always with a vision of doing standing tai chi next month or next year. Looking forward to open house on Jan. 12, 2013 from 10AM – 2PM. Come join us!